Joshua 20, 21; Acts 1; Jeremiah 10; Matthew 24

Joshua 20

6 They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

Ever needed a do-over? Or refuge from a really bad unintentional mistake? God gave the Israelite’s such a physical space. There were actual cities where you could go known as “refuge cities” and you were protected by the Levites there. We might not have physical places set aside for us for “refuge” but we do have the awesome knowledge that God our father is our refuge and strength in testing times.

Joshua 21

43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

God proved faithful in fulfilling every promise he had given to Israel. Fulfillment of some took several years but “every one was fulfilled”. Gods promises will be fulfilled according to his timetable, not ours, but we know that his word is sure!

Acts 1

After 40 days with the disciples Jesus was taken up to heaven boldly and visibly. Jesus will return boldly and visibly! Lets not be caught standing around “looking into the sky”, but working hard to share the gospel so that others will be able to share in God’s great blessing.

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Jeremiah 10

2 This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

Have you ever been to one of those “fortune tellers”. You know those parked in a trailer along the side of the road or hidden between our houses proclaiming to be able tell your future? Can’t say I’ve ever been but always have wanted to hear which generic answer my future holds 😉

The people of Judah also wanted to know there future too. Jeremiah’s response  applies to us today. God made the heavens and the earth including the stars which people consult and worship. Only God knows our future and has promised to guide us and be with us every step of the way. I’d rather trust the God who created the stars than the stars themselves….

Matthew 24

OK, so you still want to know your future after reading the above? Well go ahead and read Matthew 24 several times. Tough to pick out any part as a discussion because this is our future. Every word and every promise and every action is what will happen no question. The truth of the future is scary but also reassuring for those who endure.

God bless

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